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Wishbone #1
Wishbone
A Manhattan power couple survive a tragedy and attempt a fresh start only to be plagued by unexplained and disastrous occurrences...be careful what you wish for.
At the age of nine, growing up in the French countryside, Julien Grenier witnessed the brutal murder of his grandfather. Now, at forty-five, he continues to be plagued by horrific nightmares and reenactments of that tragic event.
Living a successful though austere lifestyle on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Julien has recreated himself, building emotional walls that even his young wife cannot penetrate.
Though somewhat moody, Julien is a good man with a heart of gold, and a great sense of loyalty and responsibility; enabling his wife, Rachael, to turn a blind eye to his tightly-kept secrets.
Rachael is thirty-two years old; an art dealer and playful free spirit, but after a home invasion assault leaves her emotionally unstable and destroys their care-free and content world, they relocate to a safer environment with the hope of a fresh start.
Kings Hollow is a quaint town, nestled in the serene Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. At first, their new home appears to be the miracle they prayed for, until a traditional children's game begins to destroy their bliss; Rachael is no longer herself and Julien is experiencing a string of bad luck and unfortunate accidents.
At the center of it all is seventeen-year-old Sarah, a part-time caretaker on the property.
Can Julien and Rachael escape the nightmare of Kings Hollow...or is this just Wishful thinking?
WISHBONE is a multi-layered thriller incorporating several sub-plots; in the vein of Pet Sematary, What Lies Beneath, Misery and Stir of Echoes. Dramatic horror at its best, Brooklyn Hudson takes you on a suspenseful roller coaster ride of emotional turmoil and shocking events. Be Careful What You Wish For…
At the age of nine, growing up in the French countryside, Julien Grenier witnessed the brutal murder of his grandfather. Now, at forty-five, he continues to be plagued by horrific nightmares and reenactments of that tragic event.
Living a successful though austere lifestyle on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Julien has recreated himself, building emotional walls that even his young wife cannot penetrate.
Though somewhat moody, Julien is a good man with a heart of gold, and a great sense of loyalty and responsibility; enabling his wife, Rachael, to turn a blind eye to his tightly-kept secrets.
Rachael is thirty-two years old; an art dealer and playful free spirit, but after a home invasion assault leaves her emotionally unstable and destroys their care-free and content world, they relocate to a safer environment with the hope of a fresh start.
Kings Hollow is a quaint town, nestled in the serene Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. At first, their new home appears to be the miracle they prayed for, until a traditional children's game begins to destroy their bliss; Rachael is no longer herself and Julien is experiencing a string of bad luck and unfortunate accidents.
At the center of it all is seventeen-year-old Sarah, a part-time caretaker on the property.
Can Julien and Rachael escape the nightmare of Kings Hollow...or is this just Wishful thinking?
WISHBONE is a multi-layered thriller incorporating several sub-plots; in the vein of Pet Sematary, What Lies Beneath, Misery and Stir of Echoes. Dramatic horror at its best, Brooklyn Hudson takes you on a suspenseful roller coaster ride of emotional turmoil and shocking events. Be Careful What You Wish For…
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2012
74 people are currently reading
1730 people want to read
About the author
Brooklyn Hudson
6 books127 followersOriginally from New York City, Brooklyn began writing at a very young age, gradually honing her fiction skills. The reigning Queen of Replica-Rock, she writes, directs, and produces music themed, theatrical stage shows for both Las Vegas Showrooms and Touring Companies. She has written for television and film, and was the voice of radio show, The Truth About Pets&People, where she was billed as the Simon Cowell of Animal Behavior Modification - she wasn't making any human friends, but she was happy to be the voice of reason for misunderstood animals everywhere. Brooklyn currently lives in Los Angeles with Willow, the tenacious Fox Squirrel stealing hearts on his own Facebook Fan Group. She is now writing full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 31, 2016
I was avoiding this book literally for three years on my bookshelve. Can't lie that was expecting some cliche thriller with horror elements, but God I have been so wrong. I was so hooked by the plot and the main female charachter was so unlikeable.
November 21, 2012
A WishBone I'll Never Forget!
Let me say I'm a diehard Stephen King fan and when I discovered this author's adoration and love for bone tingling thrillers, I'm in! Call me a bit picky but I don't just add any ordinary book to my favorite bookshelf. WishBone has it's own special spot, why you might ask, I'll tell you why. From the very first page I'm riveted into the story. Right off I'm discovering Julien, from his disturbing past right up to the present. The image of him standing on a sidewalk in Manhattan is portrayed perfectly, the author has me gripping my kindle til my knuckles turn white and it's well past mid-night. I am a fan, a follower, and definitely eager to read WishBone Two! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling, spectacular read!!!
Let me say I'm a diehard Stephen King fan and when I discovered this author's adoration and love for bone tingling thrillers, I'm in! Call me a bit picky but I don't just add any ordinary book to my favorite bookshelf. WishBone has it's own special spot, why you might ask, I'll tell you why. From the very first page I'm riveted into the story. Right off I'm discovering Julien, from his disturbing past right up to the present. The image of him standing on a sidewalk in Manhattan is portrayed perfectly, the author has me gripping my kindle til my knuckles turn white and it's well past mid-night. I am a fan, a follower, and definitely eager to read WishBone Two! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling, spectacular read!!!
October 18, 2016
Иако имам проблем со фантазија како жанр, книгава ќе ми се допаднеше малку повеќе ако помалку се повторуваа некои работи и ако беше малку поверодостојна. Од самиот почеток се прашувам зошто двата главни лика се заедно дури девет години. Рејчел (точно така Рејчел, а не Ракел) не знае ништо за минатото на Жулиен, три месеци крие дека е трудна зашто се плаши од неговата реакција, и згора на сѐ со радост ги исполнува наредбите (направи ми кафе; направи јадење,...). И сега јас треба да поверувам дека се супер среќни заедно?
Но, велам, содржината ќе поминеше колку-толку, многу поголем проблем имав со преводот. Иако немаше премногу грешки (што е реткост за македонски преводи), сепак некои решенија за кои се одлучила преведувачката ме извадија од кожа. Веќе спомнав погоре, главниот женски лик е Рејчел, но повеќе ме интересира што точно значи „возење на луда железница“? Дали постои како израз кај нас? Дали некој го употребува? Не, така?
Друга работа, во ред е да не знаеш француски, ама не е во ред да не знаеш, а да не прашаш некој што знае, така? Во Франција не може да постои затвор Сент Мичел, ама може да постои затвор Сен Мишел. Да погодам, не се сетила преведувачката да отвори правопис, зашто ако отворела ќе го знаела ова. Она што особено ме извади од кожа е преводот на „Il est vraiment à l'ouest“ кога Жулиен зборува за кучето на соседите. Преводот на таа реченица во книгата оди вака: „Жулиен го спореди неговото однесување со шоуто Див Запад“. Див Запад? Серизно? Зошто да не се распрашаш пред да лупнеш
таква колосална глупост во книга? Кое е тоа шоу Див Запад, и зошто би било спомнато во француски израз?? Едноставно сака да каже дека кучето е малку така забеганко, damn it. Имаше сигурно и други некои „чуден превод“ моменти, но само на овие можам да се сетам сега.
Навистина треба да добиеме дозвола да маваме преведувачи и лектори со речници и правописи секогаш кога неписмени книги се испечатени.
Но, велам, содржината ќе поминеше колку-толку, многу поголем проблем имав со преводот. Иако немаше премногу грешки (што е реткост за македонски преводи), сепак некои решенија за кои се одлучила преведувачката ме извадија од кожа. Веќе спомнав погоре, главниот женски лик е Рејчел, но повеќе ме интересира што точно значи „возење на луда железница“? Дали постои како израз кај нас? Дали некој го употребува? Не, така?
Друга работа, во ред е да не знаеш француски, ама не е во ред да не знаеш, а да не прашаш некој што знае, така? Во Франција не може да постои затвор Сент Мичел, ама може да постои затвор Сен Мишел. Да погодам, не се сетила преведувачката да отвори правопис, зашто ако отворела ќе го знаела ова. Она што особено ме извади од кожа е преводот на „Il est vraiment à l'ouest“ кога Жулиен зборува за кучето на соседите. Преводот на таа реченица во книгата оди вака: „Жулиен го спореди неговото однесување со шоуто Див Запад“. Див Запад? Серизно? Зошто да не се распрашаш пред да лупнеш
таква колосална глупост во книга? Кое е тоа шоу Див Запад, и зошто би било спомнато во француски израз?? Едноставно сака да каже дека кучето е малку така забеганко, damn it. Имаше сигурно и други некои „чуден превод“ моменти, но само на овие можам да се сетам сега.
Навистина треба да добиеме дозвола да маваме преведувачи и лектори со речници и правописи секогаш кога неписмени книги се испечатени.
January 15, 2023
didn't quite liked it at all very creepy indeed
February 4, 2018
I can only believe all these positive reviews are from sock puppets.
A teacher once told me that a character can never change the course of the story or resolve a problem with internal monologue. You cannot think your way through the plot unless the story happens only in one mind. Only action or dialogue can believably perform this work in the plot. This book violates that rule several times over.
Also, the final resolution of the crisis hinges on a random occurrence.
And the characters, ALL of them, are horrible, awful people, especially Rachael The epilogue does not redeem her in the least.
Only a Hamlet ending would have been good for this: Rocks fall, everyone dies.
A teacher once told me that a character can never change the course of the story or resolve a problem with internal monologue. You cannot think your way through the plot unless the story happens only in one mind. Only action or dialogue can believably perform this work in the plot. This book violates that rule several times over.
Also, the final resolution of the crisis hinges on a random occurrence.
And the characters, ALL of them, are horrible, awful people, especially Rachael The epilogue does not redeem her in the least.
Only a Hamlet ending would have been good for this: Rocks fall, everyone dies.
April 28, 2012
Julien Grenier grew up in France with his father and his grandfather. The father was very violent and always accused him for the death of his mother. She died giving birth to Julien. At the age of nine, Julien witnessed the brutal murder of his grandfather committed by the father. And he ran away.
Forty years later, Julien lives in Manhattan. He is married to Rachael and lives a happy life, but the nightmares from his past are always there. His past is the reason that he doesn’t want children. At the day of their anniversary, his wife was brutally attacked in their apartment. Beaten and raped, she lost the baby. The baby that Julien didn’t know about. The baby that supposed to be a surprise gift for their marriage anniversary.
After couple of months recovering from the tragedy, the couple decides to move to countryside. Kings Hollow seems like a nice place for a new start. The house is a lovely farm with lots of fruits and animals. The neighbors are nice, especially seventeen-years-old Sarah who takes care for the chickens on the farm.
One day, just for fun, Julien and Rachael played the wishbone game. They ate the chicken, made a wish and cracked the wishbone. Just for fun. Never imagining that a children’s game may become a nightmare. Their wishes came true.
Their wishes came true. Their fears came back. Their nightmares became real.
How can this be true? Is this real?
I stayed up all night to finish reading this story. I couldn’t put it down. There were turns and twists on every corner. In one moment you think: ”Aha, this is the culprit, this is what is really going on”. In next one: ”Oh, no, I was wrong”. I couldn’t predict the end. Somehow it reminded me on Stephen King stories. Mystery and horror. I liked the plot, the way it was narrated. The two main characters, Julien and Rachael were very well written, with their fears and nightmares, with their love for each other.
For everyone who likes mystery and horror, who likes Stephen King’s style, this is a must-read. I highly recommend this book.
Forty years later, Julien lives in Manhattan. He is married to Rachael and lives a happy life, but the nightmares from his past are always there. His past is the reason that he doesn’t want children. At the day of their anniversary, his wife was brutally attacked in their apartment. Beaten and raped, she lost the baby. The baby that Julien didn’t know about. The baby that supposed to be a surprise gift for their marriage anniversary.
After couple of months recovering from the tragedy, the couple decides to move to countryside. Kings Hollow seems like a nice place for a new start. The house is a lovely farm with lots of fruits and animals. The neighbors are nice, especially seventeen-years-old Sarah who takes care for the chickens on the farm.
One day, just for fun, Julien and Rachael played the wishbone game. They ate the chicken, made a wish and cracked the wishbone. Just for fun. Never imagining that a children’s game may become a nightmare. Their wishes came true.
Their wishes came true. Their fears came back. Their nightmares became real.
How can this be true? Is this real?
I stayed up all night to finish reading this story. I couldn’t put it down. There were turns and twists on every corner. In one moment you think: ”Aha, this is the culprit, this is what is really going on”. In next one: ”Oh, no, I was wrong”. I couldn’t predict the end. Somehow it reminded me on Stephen King stories. Mystery and horror. I liked the plot, the way it was narrated. The two main characters, Julien and Rachael were very well written, with their fears and nightmares, with their love for each other.
For everyone who likes mystery and horror, who likes Stephen King’s style, this is a must-read. I highly recommend this book.
October 8, 2012
I can not believe that this book is getting constant 4 star rating. I am 90% through but am confident in saying that if I was watching this as a film I would have turned it off. If I was pushed for time I would have deleted it from my kindle. But I am not time poor so I plod on. For me there were many groan out loud moments in this poorly written and predictable novel. The characters are all over the place. I will believe most things when I read them, remember I thought World War Z was an actual account. I have ordered in anticipation the next book in Justin Cronin's the Passage so it is not the genre that I am unfamiliar with. I will hit it hard today and finish it to make the hurting stop.
July 20, 2012
I started and couldn't finish lots of books later, until I've opened "Wishbone" by Brooklyn Hudson. I couldn't put it down. Amazing supernatural thriller. Well written, with great characters and really cool plot. Highly recommend it.
January 24, 2014
Before you dive into the pages there is a quote from Benjamin Franklin on the first page that serves as a warning:
“If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”
This story proves his point.
The story begins with a memory or rather a nightmare of French native Julien Grenier as child sitting on his porch with his Grandfather enjoying the warm air of the French countryside. The tranquility of the day is interrupted by Julien’s drunken father, Jerome. This had not been the first time Julien’s father had stumbled in drunk and unruly and Grandpa has had enough. This is where Julien’s nightmare begins.
Now an adult living in Manhattan, New York, Julien is unable or unwilling to discuss his dreadful childhood with his beautiful wife, Rachel. Julien pushes her away, emotionally at times, trying to deal with his demons alone. He has moody and at times arrogant. On their ninth anniversary, Julien and Rachel Grenier have plans to celebrate. But the couple’s mutual friend, Matt gives Julien some surprising news about Rachel that unknowingly sets off a chain of events that turns the romantic night into a night of hell. A violent attack ensues and Rachel suffers a huge loss, physically and emotionally. Once lively and free-spirited, Rachel becomes depressed, frightened and almost childlike, in constant need of her husband, Julien. Desperate to put their tragic night behind them and their lives back together, Julien decides take his wife away, out of the city to a more secluded, peaceful place called King’s Hollow located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
At first, their new home is believed to be what the couple needs.
However, there is something amidst in the small quaint town and in the home they purchased named The Victorian. The house not only comes with its own chicken coop but a strange caretaker to help tend to those chickens: a savant seventeen year –old girl named Sarah.
When Sarah cooks the couple a chicken dinner (fresh from the coop) Rachel decides to play a childhood game. She removes the wishbone from the chicken carcass and asks Julien to play; make a wish. And from that wish, a string of frightening events ensue upon the couple.
Brooklyn Hudson does a really good job at making the character’s plight believable. And towards the end, I could hardly catch my breath.
I wish she did a little more with Matt and Lizzy’s characters (Julien and Rachel friends). At the end of Wishbone, Miss Hudson gives you a passage of Wishbone2 and Matt is in the story. After reading the excerpt, I have to say without hesitation, I want more, please!
“If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”
This story proves his point.
The story begins with a memory or rather a nightmare of French native Julien Grenier as child sitting on his porch with his Grandfather enjoying the warm air of the French countryside. The tranquility of the day is interrupted by Julien’s drunken father, Jerome. This had not been the first time Julien’s father had stumbled in drunk and unruly and Grandpa has had enough. This is where Julien’s nightmare begins.
Now an adult living in Manhattan, New York, Julien is unable or unwilling to discuss his dreadful childhood with his beautiful wife, Rachel. Julien pushes her away, emotionally at times, trying to deal with his demons alone. He has moody and at times arrogant. On their ninth anniversary, Julien and Rachel Grenier have plans to celebrate. But the couple’s mutual friend, Matt gives Julien some surprising news about Rachel that unknowingly sets off a chain of events that turns the romantic night into a night of hell. A violent attack ensues and Rachel suffers a huge loss, physically and emotionally. Once lively and free-spirited, Rachel becomes depressed, frightened and almost childlike, in constant need of her husband, Julien. Desperate to put their tragic night behind them and their lives back together, Julien decides take his wife away, out of the city to a more secluded, peaceful place called King’s Hollow located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
At first, their new home is believed to be what the couple needs.
However, there is something amidst in the small quaint town and in the home they purchased named The Victorian. The house not only comes with its own chicken coop but a strange caretaker to help tend to those chickens: a savant seventeen year –old girl named Sarah.
When Sarah cooks the couple a chicken dinner (fresh from the coop) Rachel decides to play a childhood game. She removes the wishbone from the chicken carcass and asks Julien to play; make a wish. And from that wish, a string of frightening events ensue upon the couple.
Brooklyn Hudson does a really good job at making the character’s plight believable. And towards the end, I could hardly catch my breath.
I wish she did a little more with Matt and Lizzy’s characters (Julien and Rachel friends). At the end of Wishbone, Miss Hudson gives you a passage of Wishbone2 and Matt is in the story. After reading the excerpt, I have to say without hesitation, I want more, please!
August 2, 2012
We learn important lessons from Brooklyn Hudson’s dramatic horror Wishbone. We learn that we should really be careful of what we wish for and to be thankful for what we already have. Brooklyn cleverly crafts a novel that chills us to the bone and will make us think about our lives and our choices.
In the spirit of her mentor and inspiration Stephen King, she creates a fast-paced novel full of surprising and shocking twists and turns. We feel for the characters, especially Julien who grew up in France on a farm with his grandparents. His grandfather was good to him, but the abuse he suffered from his drunken father Jerome left scars that would one day return to haunt him.
Julien moved to the US to study and work. He met his wife Rachel, and they enjoyed marital bliss for some time. Then, one incident changed their lives and put them on a deadly course. After Rachel’s attack by a robber and loss of her baby, she changes drastically. This deep depression leads Julien to find them a quiet country home. Well, “the grass is not always greener on the other side.” Sometimes when dreams, and new homes, seem too good to be true, then they might be.
What they discover in the countryside and in their new home appears to bring them joy, especially Rachel. However, as time progresses we see too many changes. Rachel gets caught up in a wishing game that is just as disturbing as getting three wishes from a cheating genie. Julien notices something is wrong, and his investigation leads to even more danger and more intrigue. Can he get his wife to realize the truth and the danger? Can he reach the real Rachel before it is too late? Will they survive?
Brooklyn plays with our psychology in this novel. The surprises are horrifying. The discoveries are nervous pleasures. She keeps the reader frantically flipping the pages of Wishbone to find out what will happen next.
Brooklyn creates strong characters and imbibes them with life and strong personalities. She does a great job with Julien’s French accent that tends to rear its head when he is stressed. We follow the personality changes and the growth of both Julien and Rachel. Even the secondary characters are filled with complexities.
Wishbone amazed me; Brooklyn is a master storyteller. She keeps us guessing until the end and then gives us an awesome and satisfying ending to such a tragic tale. Truly, Brooklyn is a female “Stephen King.” Wishbone deserves more than ten stars!
In the spirit of her mentor and inspiration Stephen King, she creates a fast-paced novel full of surprising and shocking twists and turns. We feel for the characters, especially Julien who grew up in France on a farm with his grandparents. His grandfather was good to him, but the abuse he suffered from his drunken father Jerome left scars that would one day return to haunt him.
Julien moved to the US to study and work. He met his wife Rachel, and they enjoyed marital bliss for some time. Then, one incident changed their lives and put them on a deadly course. After Rachel’s attack by a robber and loss of her baby, she changes drastically. This deep depression leads Julien to find them a quiet country home. Well, “the grass is not always greener on the other side.” Sometimes when dreams, and new homes, seem too good to be true, then they might be.
What they discover in the countryside and in their new home appears to bring them joy, especially Rachel. However, as time progresses we see too many changes. Rachel gets caught up in a wishing game that is just as disturbing as getting three wishes from a cheating genie. Julien notices something is wrong, and his investigation leads to even more danger and more intrigue. Can he get his wife to realize the truth and the danger? Can he reach the real Rachel before it is too late? Will they survive?
Brooklyn plays with our psychology in this novel. The surprises are horrifying. The discoveries are nervous pleasures. She keeps the reader frantically flipping the pages of Wishbone to find out what will happen next.
Brooklyn creates strong characters and imbibes them with life and strong personalities. She does a great job with Julien’s French accent that tends to rear its head when he is stressed. We follow the personality changes and the growth of both Julien and Rachel. Even the secondary characters are filled with complexities.
Wishbone amazed me; Brooklyn is a master storyteller. She keeps us guessing until the end and then gives us an awesome and satisfying ending to such a tragic tale. Truly, Brooklyn is a female “Stephen King.” Wishbone deserves more than ten stars!
April 14, 2012
This week we are exploring the dark side of life in the bucolic country-side with the unnerving novel, Wishbone, by indie author Brooklyn Hudson.
The tale begins with Rachel and Julien Grenier, a well-to-do couple who live on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. Julien was born on a farm in France, and at the age of 9 he witnessed his father brutally murder his beloved grandfather. He does not share this traumatic experience with anyone, not even his wife, although he is plagued by dreams of the event. A sculptor and artist, Rachel knows that he has has secrets, but is content to leave them be as they don't intrude on their life together.
Unfortunately, Rachel is the victim of a brutal attack that culminates in the miscarriage of their baby; a child that Julien was unaware of and would not have wanted.
Rachel sinks into depression bordering on madness, and is ruled by her fears. Julien is desperate to bring her back to normal. To escape the past and give Rachel a new start in life, Julien quits his job and finds a home in the country, a lovely old Victorian that Rachel falls in love with.
King's Hollow appears at first to be the miracle they prayed for. The one thing that Julien is not really on board with is the Chickens that come along with the place, but eventually he accepts them. The chickens are cared for by a developmentally disabled seventeen-year old, named Sarah.
Sarah even does the butchering of the chickens, and although she is unhappy at eating a 'pet', Rachel cooks it up and finds it to be the best chicken she ever ate, as does Julien. At the end of their meal, they take the wishbone, and play the game of wishing on it.
This begins a series of events, and their life together takes a strange turn, directly into the Twilight Zone.
I could not put this book down. Julien is handsome and strong, and loving and giving despite his secrets. Once they begin the game they cannot quit, nor can they stick to the rules they set for themselves. Rachael is no longer herself and Julien is experiencing a string of bad luck and unfortunate accidents.
And at the center of everything is Sarah and her beloved chickens.
This book will have you thinking long after you put it down. I don't think that I will ever see a Thanksgiving dinner again and not think about this book!
The tale begins with Rachel and Julien Grenier, a well-to-do couple who live on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. Julien was born on a farm in France, and at the age of 9 he witnessed his father brutally murder his beloved grandfather. He does not share this traumatic experience with anyone, not even his wife, although he is plagued by dreams of the event. A sculptor and artist, Rachel knows that he has has secrets, but is content to leave them be as they don't intrude on their life together.
Unfortunately, Rachel is the victim of a brutal attack that culminates in the miscarriage of their baby; a child that Julien was unaware of and would not have wanted.
Rachel sinks into depression bordering on madness, and is ruled by her fears. Julien is desperate to bring her back to normal. To escape the past and give Rachel a new start in life, Julien quits his job and finds a home in the country, a lovely old Victorian that Rachel falls in love with.
King's Hollow appears at first to be the miracle they prayed for. The one thing that Julien is not really on board with is the Chickens that come along with the place, but eventually he accepts them. The chickens are cared for by a developmentally disabled seventeen-year old, named Sarah.
Sarah even does the butchering of the chickens, and although she is unhappy at eating a 'pet', Rachel cooks it up and finds it to be the best chicken she ever ate, as does Julien. At the end of their meal, they take the wishbone, and play the game of wishing on it.
This begins a series of events, and their life together takes a strange turn, directly into the Twilight Zone.
I could not put this book down. Julien is handsome and strong, and loving and giving despite his secrets. Once they begin the game they cannot quit, nor can they stick to the rules they set for themselves. Rachael is no longer herself and Julien is experiencing a string of bad luck and unfortunate accidents.
And at the center of everything is Sarah and her beloved chickens.
This book will have you thinking long after you put it down. I don't think that I will ever see a Thanksgiving dinner again and not think about this book!
March 25, 2012
Wishbone is, without question, a page turner from start to finish. Brooklyn Hudson has an incredible imagination, and this story was a thrill ride of twists and turns to the very last page.
I was very pleased to hear that a new publisher has taken on Wishbone and the manuscript is in the process of structural editing, as there were some point of view shifts that needed work. However, for me to be able to overlook those issues because of the story is really saying something. Even more so that I can still give this book 5 stars.
The whole time I was reading Wishbone, I kept thinking it would make a brilliant movie. All the elements are there, so I hope a screenplay gets snapped up fairly fast too. This book has best seller written all over it.
For those who don't like bad language or supernatural themes, this book won't be for you. I hadn't actually picked up on the fact that there was a supernatural aspect to this book when I first started reading. I tend to steer clear of "scary" novels, but for some reason it didn't bother me in this book as the supernatural factor wasn't really the scary part. The interplay of characters as events unfolded was way more disturbing. As for the language, given the circumstances of the unfolding story, I could believe real characters would be saying the things they were and just skipped over things like that.
In a nutshell, the story is about a New York couple, Julien and Rachael, who experience a life changing crime on their 9th anniversary. Unable to go on with life as usual, they eventually buy a beautiful old Victorian house on a property in a seemingly idyllic town. The only "catch" to their purchase is that the chickens and coop go with the sale, and they would be expected to continue paying a teenage girl to care for the flock.
Julien is not thrilled about either "condition," but goes along with it to keep the peace. Everything goes fine, until the couple eat their first roast chicken dinner and play the wishbone game. From there on, life will never be the same.
The author's creativity and imagination are very impressive, as is her ability to keep the story moving and, strangely enough, believable. She kept me wondering right to the end.
I was very pleased to hear that a new publisher has taken on Wishbone and the manuscript is in the process of structural editing, as there were some point of view shifts that needed work. However, for me to be able to overlook those issues because of the story is really saying something. Even more so that I can still give this book 5 stars.
The whole time I was reading Wishbone, I kept thinking it would make a brilliant movie. All the elements are there, so I hope a screenplay gets snapped up fairly fast too. This book has best seller written all over it.
For those who don't like bad language or supernatural themes, this book won't be for you. I hadn't actually picked up on the fact that there was a supernatural aspect to this book when I first started reading. I tend to steer clear of "scary" novels, but for some reason it didn't bother me in this book as the supernatural factor wasn't really the scary part. The interplay of characters as events unfolded was way more disturbing. As for the language, given the circumstances of the unfolding story, I could believe real characters would be saying the things they were and just skipped over things like that.
In a nutshell, the story is about a New York couple, Julien and Rachael, who experience a life changing crime on their 9th anniversary. Unable to go on with life as usual, they eventually buy a beautiful old Victorian house on a property in a seemingly idyllic town. The only "catch" to their purchase is that the chickens and coop go with the sale, and they would be expected to continue paying a teenage girl to care for the flock.
Julien is not thrilled about either "condition," but goes along with it to keep the peace. Everything goes fine, until the couple eat their first roast chicken dinner and play the wishbone game. From there on, life will never be the same.
The author's creativity and imagination are very impressive, as is her ability to keep the story moving and, strangely enough, believable. She kept me wondering right to the end.
August 14, 2012
Wishbone is a truly amazing and enthralling book. I was up late one night to finish this amazing book. Imagine going through a nightmare childhood or being invaded in the worse way cause that is just putting it mildly what the main characters have had happen to them. Julien grew up not every wanting kids cause he had a horrible childhood and does not want a child cause he doesn't want another person to deal with what he had to. Rachael is his wife and always thought she felt the same way until she hears that clock ticking. As they battle with each other over having kids or not tragedy strikes them. They decide to start over and move away from the city. They find the perfect place for them to move on with their lives but soon find everything is not perfect here. Seems there is some magic on their new place whenever they make a wish on a wishbone whoever gets the bigger piece their wish comes true. With everything they want coming their way they should be very happy but Julien is not. Also there is the young girl Sarah, who helps with the chickens and dinner, who seems to know more about what is going on than she lets on. Julien soon finds old nightmares coming to life as he tries to stop everything going on around him but at what price is he willing to pay.
Ok the author did such a wonderful job with this book. You truly feel like you are along with the characters as they go through the good and mostly bad times. I love horror stories and this is got to be among my favorites now cause it has that paranormal twist to it. The things this couple deal with would be enough to send most people to the nuthouse and at times I kept thinking Julien needed to lock Rachael up in one. Especially when she goes all Stephen King Misery on him. You ever read a book you think everyone needs to read but don't want to tell them all about it just shout hey you need to read this, well that's how I feel. I don't give spoilers so I guess I will just have to say this is a book for all people wanting something to read that is an adult book with lots of horror and with a paranormal twist. I look forward to reading much more of this authors work.
Ok the author did such a wonderful job with this book. You truly feel like you are along with the characters as they go through the good and mostly bad times. I love horror stories and this is got to be among my favorites now cause it has that paranormal twist to it. The things this couple deal with would be enough to send most people to the nuthouse and at times I kept thinking Julien needed to lock Rachael up in one. Especially when she goes all Stephen King Misery on him. You ever read a book you think everyone needs to read but don't want to tell them all about it just shout hey you need to read this, well that's how I feel. I don't give spoilers so I guess I will just have to say this is a book for all people wanting something to read that is an adult book with lots of horror and with a paranormal twist. I look forward to reading much more of this authors work.
September 4, 2012
If you overlook his regular nightmares, Julien is an average guy with his heart in the right place. As a child, watching your grandfather get brutally murdered is bound to affect anybody and that is what haunts Julien in his nightmares. As an adult in his forties, Julien is happily married and settled with Rachel, an artist. They are happy in their lives until a break-in and an attack on Rachel leaves their world shattered. As slowly succumbs to the trauma of her experience, a desperate Julien uproots themselves and settles down in a country home. They plan for a fresh start in a new home at King’s Hollow. The Victorian house in this small town seemed perfect to Julien, the only disadvantage being the chicken that came with the house. But then they have Sarah to take care of the chickens for them. Just when they were starting to settle down again, a wishbone game brings in another storm in their lives.
The story is narrated through Julien, Rachel and Sarah. Though at times the changes were abrupt, I found it very interesting to read the story through three very different personalities. Julien is a strong man with a good heart. I admit that being an eye-witness to a brutal murder is not an experience that one can just share with everybody – but he should have shared it with his wife. Rachel on the other hand is a loving and practical woman. She knows that her husband has his secrets but instead of pushing him she gives him his space. I like them both even with their short comings.
The plot is startling and reminds me of Stephen King novels. Every now and then you may be able to predict what is going to happen – but the number of times the plot will take you by surprise is certainly going to be higher. It was gripping and I ‘had to’ finish reading it in a day as whenever I put it down, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else! The writing style of the author also balances nicely with the plot and the setting, making it even more delicious.
This is a fantastic Debut and I would gladly recommend this book to any Horror-Thriller enthusiasts and especially to Stephen King, Michael Crichton and W.W.Jacob Fans.
The story is narrated through Julien, Rachel and Sarah. Though at times the changes were abrupt, I found it very interesting to read the story through three very different personalities. Julien is a strong man with a good heart. I admit that being an eye-witness to a brutal murder is not an experience that one can just share with everybody – but he should have shared it with his wife. Rachel on the other hand is a loving and practical woman. She knows that her husband has his secrets but instead of pushing him she gives him his space. I like them both even with their short comings.
The plot is startling and reminds me of Stephen King novels. Every now and then you may be able to predict what is going to happen – but the number of times the plot will take you by surprise is certainly going to be higher. It was gripping and I ‘had to’ finish reading it in a day as whenever I put it down, I couldn’t concentrate on anything else! The writing style of the author also balances nicely with the plot and the setting, making it even more delicious.
This is a fantastic Debut and I would gladly recommend this book to any Horror-Thriller enthusiasts and especially to Stephen King, Michael Crichton and W.W.Jacob Fans.
October 11, 2012
I wish this superior and thrilling novel, WISHBONE, by talented author, BROOKLYN HUDSON, was an event I could have experienced for real--except, I'd forsake the supernatural, aka, the thriller stuff, thank you very much!
Guess I'm boring in reality, but BROOKLYN HUDSON brings it all home--in her very, unique way. Why else would she be doing a screenplay for a movie, about the very same?
Please read on...
I've never done a review for a book, but WISHBONE inspired me to give it a try. That this powerful thriller kept me away from MY work says a ton, since I'm trying to wrap up something I'm doing for me. Oh and, by the way, I won't be eating chicken any time soon.
But I digress...
HUDSON'S intricate characterization and talent regarding her premise reminds me of classic stories penned by the ever-so-popular authors, Dean Koonz and Stephen King, and lured me into the lives of Julian and Rachell, a not-so-ordinary couple trying to make their lives complete again, after an unforgettable, tragic event. Seems a change of venue may be the solution for all their problems, but little do they know, their problems are just about to begin, and the horrific issue that brought them to their new home is just the beginning of an extraordinary and unimaginable new life style that just may damge them for good.
I'm reading WISHBONE for the third time. Truthfully, BROOKLYN HUDSON'S thriller, WISHBONE, is worth a firm nod from the NY Times, and a first-rate page turner. So totally worth the read.
Since I'm a fairly older author, I've read a lot, and I'm confident about what works for readers who enjoy this genre!
WISHBONE-You won't be sorry!
Guess I'm boring in reality, but BROOKLYN HUDSON brings it all home--in her very, unique way. Why else would she be doing a screenplay for a movie, about the very same?
Please read on...
I've never done a review for a book, but WISHBONE inspired me to give it a try. That this powerful thriller kept me away from MY work says a ton, since I'm trying to wrap up something I'm doing for me. Oh and, by the way, I won't be eating chicken any time soon.
But I digress...
HUDSON'S intricate characterization and talent regarding her premise reminds me of classic stories penned by the ever-so-popular authors, Dean Koonz and Stephen King, and lured me into the lives of Julian and Rachell, a not-so-ordinary couple trying to make their lives complete again, after an unforgettable, tragic event. Seems a change of venue may be the solution for all their problems, but little do they know, their problems are just about to begin, and the horrific issue that brought them to their new home is just the beginning of an extraordinary and unimaginable new life style that just may damge them for good.
I'm reading WISHBONE for the third time. Truthfully, BROOKLYN HUDSON'S thriller, WISHBONE, is worth a firm nod from the NY Times, and a first-rate page turner. So totally worth the read.
Since I'm a fairly older author, I've read a lot, and I'm confident about what works for readers who enjoy this genre!
WISHBONE-You won't be sorry!
July 14, 2012
What can I say about Wishbone?
Wishbone was written by the very talented Brooklyn Hudson. Julien is a rather complex character, allowing you to love/hate him at the same time. Rachel as well. These two make a powerful couple with mutual feelings of love/hare for each other. Julien has secrets. Rachel's ok with that. Julien wants NOTHING to do with having children. Rachel's NOT ok with that. But she does seem to have this patience with Julien that goes far beyond reasonable. She accepts Julien as he is, and loves him dearly, putting aside her own feelings for the time being. As their anniversary dinner approaches, Julien finds out Rachel has a secret of her own. A secret that threatens Julien's future with a horror he never meant to experience. Not with Rachel, not with any woman, ever. As Rachel preps herself for the nervous dinner, exposing her secret, she is viciously attacked and left with fierce paranoia, anxiety, and extreme codependency. Julien attempts to move them out of the city, in a desperate attempted grant his wife a safe haven to heal in. Rachel is immediately attracted to Kings Hollow. Julien and Rachel find much more than they anticipated at their home. With a "ready to cook" chicken left for them in their kitchen everyday, the couple play a friendly game of "break the wishbone". Harmless enough. Until they notice things begin to change after their wishing begins. As the title says "be careful what you wish for", Julien and Rachel learn that lesson the hard way!
SEQUEL to come soon! Yay!!? (
Wishbone was written by the very talented Brooklyn Hudson. Julien is a rather complex character, allowing you to love/hate him at the same time. Rachel as well. These two make a powerful couple with mutual feelings of love/hare for each other. Julien has secrets. Rachel's ok with that. Julien wants NOTHING to do with having children. Rachel's NOT ok with that. But she does seem to have this patience with Julien that goes far beyond reasonable. She accepts Julien as he is, and loves him dearly, putting aside her own feelings for the time being. As their anniversary dinner approaches, Julien finds out Rachel has a secret of her own. A secret that threatens Julien's future with a horror he never meant to experience. Not with Rachel, not with any woman, ever. As Rachel preps herself for the nervous dinner, exposing her secret, she is viciously attacked and left with fierce paranoia, anxiety, and extreme codependency. Julien attempts to move them out of the city, in a desperate attempted grant his wife a safe haven to heal in. Rachel is immediately attracted to Kings Hollow. Julien and Rachel find much more than they anticipated at their home. With a "ready to cook" chicken left for them in their kitchen everyday, the couple play a friendly game of "break the wishbone". Harmless enough. Until they notice things begin to change after their wishing begins. As the title says "be careful what you wish for", Julien and Rachel learn that lesson the hard way!
SEQUEL to come soon! Yay!!? (
June 10, 2012
This is the story of Julien and Rachael. A couple with a seemingly perfect life (albeit Julien is battling with some childhood demons). This is brought to a crashing halt on their 9th wedding anniversary when Rachael is brutally attacked and raped and loses their unborn baby. Becoming emotionally unstable, Rachael is in dire need of help. Julien in desperation decides a move to the country might be beneficial. He finds a beautiful mansion and they make the move to the mountains. All seems to be going well and Rachael even seems back to normal until Julien starts to have strange accidents and Rachael begins to change. In a bid to find out what is going on - well that's when their troubles REALLY begin.
This was phenomenal. It was page turning old school psychological horror that gripped me from page one and had some seriously creepy moments! Julien and Rachael are awesome together, taken in by the 'game' never realising the truth, and the horror behind it. The different scenarios and obstacles they encountered had me turning page after page to find out exactly what was going on. Despite their initial greed, when secrets were revealed and tides turned, I had tears in my eyes whilst holding my breath hoping it would all work out. I recommend this for old school fans and genre readers alike - it is page turning horror and not for the faint hearted. I can even see this being optioned for the big screen!
This was phenomenal. It was page turning old school psychological horror that gripped me from page one and had some seriously creepy moments! Julien and Rachael are awesome together, taken in by the 'game' never realising the truth, and the horror behind it. The different scenarios and obstacles they encountered had me turning page after page to find out exactly what was going on. Despite their initial greed, when secrets were revealed and tides turned, I had tears in my eyes whilst holding my breath hoping it would all work out. I recommend this for old school fans and genre readers alike - it is page turning horror and not for the faint hearted. I can even see this being optioned for the big screen!
July 25, 2012
What a great read! I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not it. I managed to read this through in a day and a half because, unfortunately, I needed to sleep. This story deserves all the raves and all the five star reviews
that it has received so far. So many elements worked here; the plot, the theme, the characters, and the gestalt of all the above.
I was reminded of Stephen King and Misery, Ira Levin and Rosemary's Baby and W.W. Jacob's and The Monkey's Paw. There were parts that physically made me cringe and that is not easy to accomplish. Excellent work. And should be six stars.
that it has received so far. So many elements worked here; the plot, the theme, the characters, and the gestalt of all the above.
I was reminded of Stephen King and Misery, Ira Levin and Rosemary's Baby and W.W. Jacob's and The Monkey's Paw. There were parts that physically made me cringe and that is not easy to accomplish. Excellent work. And should be six stars.
March 26, 2013
I read many horror novels and it's difficult to find something truly unique and different. This book, however, fits the bill perfectly. I thought it might be an updated version of 'The Monkey's Paw', but it wasn't. I found it unpredictable and engaging. As events unfold, the main character, Julien, has to endure some harrowing situations and incredible agony. You can feel his pain. The ending was exactly what I wanted, although it probably would have been more satisfying if the novel had ended differently. I think it would make a great movie. Chicken anyone?
July 20, 2012
Wishbone is the type of book that is hard to put down once you start reading it. I still love chicken!!!! and would love to entertain the idea of getting to make wishes and they come true. Can't wait for book 2 or to see the movie.
I am not sure I could say more about the book without giving away spoilers, and I hate when that is done to any book. So I will just have to say you have to read the book; see if it keeps you wanting more on the thriller rollercoaster ride of wishes and chicken.
I am not sure I could say more about the book without giving away spoilers, and I hate when that is done to any book. So I will just have to say you have to read the book; see if it keeps you wanting more on the thriller rollercoaster ride of wishes and chicken.
July 8, 2012
What a unique concept! I couldn't put this book down. I had to know what would happen. Life circumstance had brought these people to a place they never saw coming. They were trying to escape a horrible turn of fate beyond their contro..l only to .be faced with inner demons and fear of their own desires. With unpredictable twists and turns, the journey the author takes you on is exciting and unnerving! Who hasn't wished? Who hasn't been afraid of what they were capable of in the darkest places of the heart? Can't wait for the second book!
August 3, 2012
It had been a while since I had read a thriller/horror book. This was a good choice.
Every chapter, and sometimes every page, brought some new development that made me want to keep on reading past my bedtime.
What kept me from giving it more stars is that there are some loose ends and some events are left unexplained, which always annoys me. I like my stories neat and tidy.
All in all, a good and quick read.
Apparently, the author is working on Wishbone II. I'll be curious to see what she comes with next.
Every chapter, and sometimes every page, brought some new development that made me want to keep on reading past my bedtime.
What kept me from giving it more stars is that there are some loose ends and some events are left unexplained, which always annoys me. I like my stories neat and tidy.
All in all, a good and quick read.
Apparently, the author is working on Wishbone II. I'll be curious to see what she comes with next.
August 13, 2012
Wishbone is definitely a page turner. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The author does a great job of fully developing each character and giving them such realism. The book has lots of twists and turns that you do not expect which make it such a fun and suspenseful read. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves anything Stephen Kingesque. I cannot wait for the screen adaption to be made or what Brooklyn Hudson has in store for us with other books that are published by her!
August 27, 2012
Excellent read! Couldn't book the book down. Expected a typical horror book and was constantly surprised by the events that unfolded. Saw Ms Hudson compared to Stephen King and expected a second rate wanna be but was hoping for at least a good ride. Brooklyn Hudson stands not in King's shadow but next to him! She is the best new horror author I've read in years! Soon King and Koontz will be wanting her review on the backs of their books! I know Wishbone II is suppose to be out sometime this fall and I cannot wait!
August 27, 2012
Wishbone is a page turning, stay up all night read. If you're like me and always searching for a fresh, innovative look into horror, this is the book for you. Brooklyn Hudson gives her characters the depth missing in so many other novels. I read 3 or 4 books a week and I'm always looking for new authors to add to my reading list, Brooklyn Hudson is on my list and she should be on yours too. I'm usually able to figure out the plot line and ending half way through the book, not so with Wishbone. Brooklyn Hudson brings a breathe of fresh air to the horror/suspence genre.
September 13, 2012
So I literally just minutes ago finished Wishbone. I have to admit it took me some time to really get into to it. But now that I'm done I'll totally e recommending it to others.
(excuse me french) (chuckles) but what an awesomely fucked-up twisted story..... along the lines of the movie Misery but way crazier! This is the first one I read anything like it. I've read thrillers & paranormal stuff but this is totally off the wall. Really loved the background of the past 'tenants'!!
(excuse me french) (chuckles) but what an awesomely fucked-up twisted story..... along the lines of the movie Misery but way crazier! This is the first one I read anything like it. I've read thrillers & paranormal stuff but this is totally off the wall. Really loved the background of the past 'tenants'!!
July 29, 2012
This book got off to a slow kind of start. I was annoyed by the grammar initially, but the main character is from France, so he messes up his English some. You get used to it. Also, initially, I didn't really like either Julien or Rachael. I did like who and how they were with each other; their relationship was loving and forgiving. Once things heated up, they never slowed down. I definitely recommend it.
October 24, 2012
This story totally threw me for a loop. Usually, I can figure out where it is going or what is the purpose of the paranormal activity but this one kept me on my toes. The ending was something I totally did not expect.
It just got deeper and deeper and deeper. I really enjoyed this paranormal thriller. There were so many elements that effected the story leading them to their path.
5 stars!
It just got deeper and deeper and deeper. I really enjoyed this paranormal thriller. There were so many elements that effected the story leading them to their path.
5 stars!
March 28, 2013
I could do this review with one word, WOW! But I will say more about this suspense filled novel. This is definitely a page turner and you never know what the next page will bring! It is full of twists and turns that you don't see coming.
Wishbone is one very exciting read and NO, I don't want to play the wishbone game or even think about eating chicken!! :)
Wishbone is one very exciting read and NO, I don't want to play the wishbone game or even think about eating chicken!! :)
July 8, 2012
Best supernatural thriller that I have read in a long time! I stayed up half the night to finish this book because I could not put it down. There are editing issues but it doesn't distract from the story, which is a highly original concept in itself. Loved it!
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